County pursues grant funds

Members of the Madison County Commissioners’ Court and the Tri County Diggers celebrate the county’s proclamation of April 5 as Arbor Day and June 4-9 as National Garden Week.

Meteor photo by Tony Farkas

Posted
Wednesday, June 27, 2018 12:00 am

Meteor staff

The Madison County Commissioners’ Court on Monday approved a pair of resolutions designed to seek out engineering services in relation to a disaster recovery grant, as well as a firm to administer the federal funds.

The funds, which are part of the General Land Office Community Development and Revitalization CDBG-Disaster Recovery funding, will not be greater than $2 million, will be used for housing that is not used for rentals.

Emergency Management Coordinator Shelly Butts said only one firm — GrantWorks — submitted a proposal for administration services, at a cost not to exceed 11 percent of the amount of the grant.

The costs for administration, as well as for the engineering, will come from the grant. The county’s only contribution is a 1 percent match.

For the engineering services, again only one firm submitted a bid — Jones & Carter. Engineering costs cannot exceed 12 percent of the grant amount.

The work also must cover damages received in March and June 2016.’

Both measures were approved unanimously.

In a special meeting on June 19, the county approved contracting with Don Grooms to perform sewer and restaurant inspections for the county.

The former inspector and designated representative, Chase Manning, left the position at the beginning of June, and his replacement, Lynn Jeffries, has not been certified.

County Commissioner Ricky Driskell said that the county will use Grooms on an as-needed basis, and during the budgeting process, will discuss with the city creating a position that will serve both entities.

In other business, the county:

•approved an annual contract with the Bedias Creek Soil and Water Conservation District for technical aid concerning natural resources for the 2019 calendar year;

•approved a lot split on 2 ½ acres of land for Donna Selman, located in the Jesse Young Survey Tract;

•approved a lot split on 3.42 acres of land for Gregory and Gwendolyn Badke, on land located in the Jesse Young Survey tract;